15 Apr 2019

Details revealed about NZ nurse Louisa Akavi captured by IS

From Nine To Noon, 9:09 am on 15 April 2019
Louisa Akavi speaks to media in 1996

Louisa Akavi speaks to media in 1996 Photo: Getty Images

Louisa Akavi, a New Zealand nurse working for the Red Cross, was captured by Islamic State in Syria, more than five years ago and there are now public pleas for any information, that could help bring her home. After many years, The International Committee of the Red Cross has broken its silence, calling for information that could help locate Ms Akavi and two Syrian Red Cross drivers.

RNZ has, along with other media organisations, been operating under a non-publication agreement, since 2015 in a bid to protect Louisa's safety, and not make worse the situation she is in, while authorities have worked to try to find her and secure her release. But RNZ has decided to publish the ICRCs request for information, issued today.

RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson has been following this story for years.  She joins Kathryn along with International Red Cross's Ewan Watson.